Not sure about this one, yet I realize you awarded it a prize. It may only be the shooting of the cow that bothers me. Animal cruelty turns me off, even in war. Some very good prose though.
Shelby Staples replied on Tue, 10/27/2009 - 07:29pm
The point of war is to survive it. Griner might expect that some readers will feel more sorry for the cow than for the spotter, the so-called enemy. The newbie must learn the game--survival. The cow becomes his enemy because he risks all to milk her. This story reminds me of Tim O'Brien's piece about the lemon tree, troops getting blown to smithereens contrasted to the murder of a baby water buffalo. Griner's story offers perspective. Well done!!
Merimee Moffitt replied on Sun, 11/15/2009 - 07:59am
Not sure about this one, yet I realize you awarded it a prize. It may only be the shooting of the cow that bothers me. Animal cruelty turns me off, even in war. Some very good prose though.
The point of war is to survive it. Griner might expect that some readers will feel more sorry for the cow than for the spotter, the so-called enemy. The newbie must learn the game--survival. The cow becomes his enemy because he risks all to milk her. This story reminds me of Tim O'Brien's piece about the lemon tree, troops getting blown to smithereens contrasted to the murder of a baby water buffalo. Griner's story offers perspective. Well done!!